Towing four wheels down

[alfapop]

When towing my 06 Saturn Vue AWD Honda V6 behind our motor home, it is required that you open the hood and remove the 30 amp fuse and reverse the process when ready to drive the car. Really a pain to have to go through this process each time. I'm looking for a conversion to a switch under the dash so that the circuit can be opened or closed from the drivers compartment. Can anyone help???

[mellissam]

When towing my 06 Saturn Vue AWD Honda V6 behind our motor home, it is required that you open the hood and remove the 30 amp fuse and reverse the process when ready to drive the car. Really a pain to have to go through this process each time. I'm looking for a conversion to a switch under the dash so that the circuit can be opened or closed from the drivers compartment. Can anyone help???

This board!!! rrrr! Just had a lengthy post deleted...so here goes again.

I wonder why they ask you to remove a fuse? At any rate, it is possible to have a switch in driver’s compartment, but the only concerns are size of wire needed for 30 amp (10-14 gauge – depends on length). Plus, you need a hefty switch (rated to at least 30 amp). The other option is to have a relay, then you can string a 16-18 gauge wire and get away with a 10 amp switch…(just have to find a relay rated to 30 amps)..I used a relay for both my fog lamps and air horn.

Whatever you decide, stringing wire into the driver’s compartment is easy for automatics, as there is a hole where the clutch mechanism would go (if there was one) through the firewall (one hand below and slightly right of brake reservoir). Currently, there is a bundle of wires going through this hole, with a hefty rubber grommet…was able to string wire around it...takes some doing, but is doable.
Here is a picture of the engine side…
http://www.saturnfans.com/photos/data/12561/thumbs/P8130016_Large_.JPG (http://www.saturnfans.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=31154)

And a picture of the driver’s compartment…

http://www.saturnfans.com/photos/data/12561/thumbs/P8130025_Medium_.JPG (http://www.saturnfans.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=31153)

Hope this helps. Cheers.

[eRic 02sc2]

towing an S-Series behind a RV requires the same thing. remove the 30A IGN fuse from the underhood fuse block. that doesn't seem like such a big deal to me. check the oil and transaxle fluid level before towing it.

[JIMJIM]

Hi. I have an 04 VUE that I tow bedhind my MH. I got tired of raising the hood and removing the fuse. Cured this problem as follows: removed the designated fuse (ignition) from the fuse box under the hood, slpit the fuse in in half and used the fuse pins with wire soldered to each side to plug back into the fuse socket, ran one wire from this soldered pin to under the dash to the plastic panel just under the stearing wheel, installed an appropriately rated rocker swith purchased from Radio Shack, came out of the other side of that rocker switch back to the fuse box under the hood, installed an inline fuse socket/holder (from automotive supply store) just outside the fuse box, came out of the other side of that socket and back to the remaining side of the originial fuse pin where I soldered that wire. When ready to tow, just reach under the stearing column and flip the switch and flip it back when you get ready to drive your dinghy.
Hints: use wire size and rocker switch to match the amperage rating of the fuse you removed to cut in half. Use fuse socket that holds the same size fuse you removed to cut in half so if you have trouble in this circuit, you can simply pull both pins and reinstall the fuse from your external socket. This circuit can also be an anti theft device as your car can't be started with the rocker switch flipped. Been using this switch for over a year, works great, no trouble. Hope this helps.
JimJim

[D C]

Sounds like JimJim has the solution.

Is the procedure really that much of a pain? I have a neighbor that flat-tows his VUE and he's commented on how simple the procedure is compared to some other vehicles. That and he can tow farther between breaks.

[JIMJIM]

DC
You are right. The VUE from the factory is very easy to get ready to tow. Generally, start engine, shift to drive for a minute or two, then to neutral for 3 minutes. Kill engine from neutral and turn key to ACC, remove the ignition fuse( early 04 manual said under the dash and later modified to be the same as late 04"s, ie, in fuse box under the hood), or flip the switch as I do now. Limited to 65MPH and 8 hours towing before you must restart the engine. Love my car. Has been very satisfactory dinghy. Probably the 3.5L Honda engine and trans are what makes the towing with auto trans possible and easy. JIMJIM

[GearGuy]

I've got a whacky idea...

Could you duct (duck) tape both sides of the fuse such that you have a 'tab' hanging off the top? Maybe tape in a toothpick at the fold for a bit of a finger grip?

Just to make it easier to yank out...